Alabama Shakes ‰ÛÒ Boys & Girls

In the short span of a year, Alabama Shakes have ridden a meteoric rise from playing in dive bars to making the rounds at every major festival and late night show. It‰’d be easy for a backlash to develop around the much-hyped band, who are finally releasing their debut full-length, but their music is far too likable and soulful to dismiss.

The obvious star here is singer Brittany Howard, whose vocals have the personality, pain, and rawness needed of a great soul singer. On slow-burner “Be Mine,‰” Howard makes the vocal transition from wounded lover to crazed rocker sound seamless. Meanwhile, the band behind her cook up plenty of great Southern-rock riffs: “Hold On,‰” “Hang Loose,‰” and “On Your Way‰” prove that this is more than a one-woman show.

There‰’s a lot to love about this band, which is even more exciting when you consider that there still is room for the songwriting and production to grow. For once, Alabama Shakes prove to be that rare group that overcomes the trappings of media hype, establishing themselves as a legitimately talented band. -Cameron Meindl

RIYL: Mavis Staples, Janis Joplin
Recommended Tracks: 1, 2, 9

Editor’s note: this album is for fans of Sharon Jones, old Kings of Leon, Jack White, Otis Redding, humanity and everything in between.